Chuck Norris will be on Leland Conway's radio show this morning at 11:35 talking about what he will do to you if you aren't for Mike Huckabee.
You can listen on 630AM WLAP or just click here.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Monday, January 14, 2008
We Can't Be Broke, We Still Have Checks!
The House Appropriations and Revenue Committee will discuss HB 87 tomorrow. The bill would give $20 million from the General Fund to tobacco farmers.
Who's Your News Daddy?
In our poll-driven world, the news that Fox News has overtaken CNN as a most-trusted news source will upset some people.
Do the math, though, and you will see CNN actually came in third. Number two was my favorite "None of the Above."
Do the math, though, and you will see CNN actually came in third. Number two was my favorite "None of the Above."
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Fayette Jail Shake-Up On The Way
The Pepto Bismol is flowing tonight around the Fayette County Detention Center amid intense speculation Director Ron Bishop will be forced out by the end of the month.
It gets better.
Number two man, Deputy Director Donald Leach is coming under fire for consulting work he has done the last couple of years on the strength of a Doctorate in Public Administration degree awarded to him in 2005 from a reputed mail-order diploma mill.
It gets better.
Number two man, Deputy Director Donald Leach is coming under fire for consulting work he has done the last couple of years on the strength of a Doctorate in Public Administration degree awarded to him in 2005 from a reputed mail-order diploma mill.
Why Kentucky Needs Independent Blogs
I don't know whether to be totally shocked or well, not, that the Lexington Herald Leader would do an expose on Kentucky jails today and completely ignore the disastrous Fayette County Detention Center in their own back yard.
Chronicles of Blarney
The Louisville Courier-Journal digs into its archives this morning to point out that they knew two years ago that Kentucky was dramatically overspending tax money.
Perhaps they would have been able to find that story faster if their archives from those days weren't loaded up with stories about merit hiring and other much less important issues than blowing tax money.
Based on the comments by Fletcher and his budget team, a Courier-Journal story published on April 24, 2006, said:
"Unless the state's economy grows at a much higher-than-normal rate -- and much higher than projected -- lawmakers in 2008 will not have money for teacher raises, university improvements or other funding increases without raising revenue or making painful spending cuts in other areas."
Perhaps they would have been able to find that story faster if their archives from those days weren't loaded up with stories about merit hiring and other much less important issues than blowing tax money.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
I Could Have Saved Them The Fifty Cents
The Lexington Herald Leader's Michelle Ku has filed an open records request for FCDC Director Ron Bishop's training records which were reported on here.
Michelle, make sure you look at both copies of the training report -- the one that shows Bishop with a zero and the second one with his name scrubbed off completely to avoid attention.
Michelle, make sure you look at both copies of the training report -- the one that shows Bishop with a zero and the second one with his name scrubbed off completely to avoid attention.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Kentucky Schools Can't Afford Union Thugs
... or prevailing wage.
Governor Steve Beshear is finding it necessary to dump his other grandiose campaign promises. Now that organized labor leaders helped get him elected, what are they going to do? Vote for a Republican?
Kentucky can't afford to carry these guys around. Unfortunately, Beshear is going to have to submit to the union-ectomy willingly, which is something he shows no signs of being ready for. While we wait, we can take comfort in the fact that his idea of collective bargaining for state employees has already been tossed in the trash.
Governor Steve Beshear is finding it necessary to dump his other grandiose campaign promises. Now that organized labor leaders helped get him elected, what are they going to do? Vote for a Republican?
Kentucky can't afford to carry these guys around. Unfortunately, Beshear is going to have to submit to the union-ectomy willingly, which is something he shows no signs of being ready for. While we wait, we can take comfort in the fact that his idea of collective bargaining for state employees has already been tossed in the trash.
Pol Brings Dull Pencil To Online Battle Of Words
Rep. Charlie Hoffman makes national news for proposing a very stupid law.
Ed Worley's Tax You More Fund
Polwatchers reports Sen. Ed Worley is ready to increase the cigarette tax to raise revenue rather than focus on cutting spending. I guess it would really be news if Worley, a non-smoker, came out in favor of taxing ill-gotten gains at a higher rate but, until then, maybe some of these big taxers should go for the Tax Me More Fund.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Winning Kentucky's Fiscal Responsibility War
State House members of both parties are already talking about filing a discharge petition to force a floor vote on Rep. Jim DeCesare's bill to repeal the very expensive Limited Liability Entity Tax.
When he was a candidate, Governor Steve Beshear promised to support repeal of the tax.
When he was a candidate, Governor Steve Beshear promised to support repeal of the tax.
Beshear Gambling Strategy Exposed
Senator Tom Buford said today Governor Steve Beshear invited him to his office and spoke with him about taking a job in the administration.
Buford refused.
Buford refused.
Will it be Beshear the Repealer?
House Leadership yesterday quietly assigned a bill that is very important both politically and fiscally to the Appropriations and Revenue Committee.
House Bill 26 would repeal the Limited Liability Entity Tax, also known as the Alternative Minimum Calculation signed into law by Governor Ernie Fletcher and hated by businesses paying the tax.
And if Governor Steve Beshear is really in a repealing and money-saving mood, he should support the effort to shut down the Treasurer's office, too.
House Bill 26 would repeal the Limited Liability Entity Tax, also known as the Alternative Minimum Calculation signed into law by Governor Ernie Fletcher and hated by businesses paying the tax.
And if Governor Steve Beshear is really in a repealing and money-saving mood, he should support the effort to shut down the Treasurer's office, too.
Mortgaging Nonsense in Kentucky
The General Assembly has three bills so far attempting to address a problem with mortgage loans. I can't find much in this, this, or this we wouldn't be better off just leaving alone. In fact, it seems to me that if what we really want to do is make things worse, passing these bills would be a pretty good way to start.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
We Have To At Least Get This Right
Everything has a price. When we try to use government to escape that universal truth, we invite unintended problems.
Don't imagine we will do anything good by forcing people to pay more for their car insurance because they have good credit.
Don't imagine we will do anything good by forcing people to pay more for their car insurance because they have good credit.
A Good Way To Have More Spending Money
Now that the General Assembly and Governor are on the same page about cutting spending (ha!), perhaps they really should look at prohibiting the Kentucky Lottery from spending any of its revenue on advertising.
People are going to gamble anyway, right?
People are going to gamble anyway, right?
Kathy Stein's Inconvenient Sex Talk
Rep. Kathy Stein wants schools to back off just telling kids not to have sex and instead to give them "science-based" contraception instruction.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Providing Educational Opportunities For A Few
House Speaker Jody Richards wasted no time refiling his bill to legalize Kentucky's illegal charter school at Western Kentucky University.
Come on, guys. Wouldn't it be easier to let all of Kentucky have access to the innovative teaching a handful of students are now getting illegally?
All we have to do is make charter schools legal in the state.
Come on, guys. Wouldn't it be easier to let all of Kentucky have access to the innovative teaching a handful of students are now getting illegally?
All we have to do is make charter schools legal in the state.
From The "It's About Time" Department
Rep. Lonnie Napier filed a bill today to deny state aid or food stamps to adult drug abusers.
Mayor Newberry, At Least Take His Car Keys
Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry may be content to watch the Fayette County Detention Center melt down under federal investigations and civil lawsuits. But if he is not going to do anything substantial, he should at least park FCDC Director (and Louisville resident) Ron Bishop's city car and let him take care of his own transportation like the employees who don't break the law do.
Did I mention Director Ron Bishop didn't complete ANY of his required 2007 training and then tried to cover it up?
Did I mention Director Ron Bishop didn't complete ANY of his required 2007 training and then tried to cover it up?
Defining Education Reform For 21st Century
Kentucky's education establishment went ballistic yesterday over the mere suggestion they might have to take less money in the next budget to deliver their mediocre results.
The need to change the way we discuss education reform is not unrelated to the many problems in overcrowded county jails throughout the state.
Bureaucrats may be satisfied with papering over Kentucky's dropout problem, but yesterday's high school graduates -- in large numbers -- are today sleeping on the floor in county jails.
With the current push among the education crowd to shift more resources toward early childhood education, we have what amounts to a crass diversion from real problems in favor of spending on a new program several years removed from accountability.
New laws to force students to stay in school against their will are just the opposite side of the same coin.
We can't afford these games any longer.
Middle school is where we are losing our kids. When they give up in middle school, they too often start using drugs and drop out of high school. These are the people filling up our jails.
We don't need more tax money for teachers unions and bureaucrats nearly as much as we need to concentrate our efforts where they benefit kids more than the bureaucrats.
The need to change the way we discuss education reform is not unrelated to the many problems in overcrowded county jails throughout the state.
Bureaucrats may be satisfied with papering over Kentucky's dropout problem, but yesterday's high school graduates -- in large numbers -- are today sleeping on the floor in county jails.
With the current push among the education crowd to shift more resources toward early childhood education, we have what amounts to a crass diversion from real problems in favor of spending on a new program several years removed from accountability.
New laws to force students to stay in school against their will are just the opposite side of the same coin.
We can't afford these games any longer.
Middle school is where we are losing our kids. When they give up in middle school, they too often start using drugs and drop out of high school. These are the people filling up our jails.
We don't need more tax money for teachers unions and bureaucrats nearly as much as we need to concentrate our efforts where they benefit kids more than the bureaucrats.
Monday, January 07, 2008
The People Want To Vote On Cutting Spending
Shutting down the state Treasurer's office as a rest area for politicians is a good thing to be thinking about the night before the 2008 General Assembly starts up.
SurveyUSA Calls Kentucky For Huckabee
...but they left off Fred Thompson and John Edwards from their polling.
Owensboro Gets State Pension Disaster
The levy has broken on the state employee benefits plans and some people are starting to really pay attention.
I'll be impressed, though, when I see pressure to cut back on the healthy slab of pork lawmakers cut for some of their pals back in 2005.
Update: Ashland gets it, too. Keep them coming!
I'll be impressed, though, when I see pressure to cut back on the healthy slab of pork lawmakers cut for some of their pals back in 2005.
Update: Ashland gets it, too. Keep them coming!
Volunteering For Less
Tennessee may be about to lower part of their state merit scholarship standard to ease up on some of their failing students. They might want to notice, though, Kentucky requires even less of their students than Tennessee is talking about dropping to and gets almost an identical failure rate.
Kentucky policymakers should pay attention to this. It would make a lot of sense to pursue raising the minimum GPA for our college students to keep their KEES awards. As we pursue the lofty goal of doubling our number of college graduates, anything we can do to prevent dumbing-down has to be considered. We might even accidentally incentivize a little less drinking and drug use on campus.
Kentucky policymakers should pay attention to this. It would make a lot of sense to pursue raising the minimum GPA for our college students to keep their KEES awards. As we pursue the lofty goal of doubling our number of college graduates, anything we can do to prevent dumbing-down has to be considered. We might even accidentally incentivize a little less drinking and drug use on campus.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Courier Journal Attacks Steve Beshear
... for not wanting to raise taxes.
Prioritizing our spending is the way out of this. Government transparency is the first step to recovery.
Prioritizing our spending is the way out of this. Government transparency is the first step to recovery.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Someone Needs To Wake Up Jim Newberry
Surely it has been too cold for Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry to putter around on golf courses. Perhaps he has been hanging out at bowling alleys or at some of Lexington's "gentleman's clubs" while the city's jail is collapsing under corrupt leadership.
Will someone please, please wake up Mayor Jim Newberry.
We caught Director Ron Bishop earlier this week scrubbing his name off the 2007 FCDC training roster after failing to complete any of the required training.
Well, now the detention center employees union is working on a case to exempt its members who didn't complete their training from any kind of reprimand. The entire basis of their case is that the director didn't get his training, so they can't be punished since he won't be. Sounds like a fine way to risk the safety of the community all in the name of covering Ron Bishop's behind.
Are you getting any of this, Mayor Newberry?
Will someone please, please wake up Mayor Jim Newberry.
We caught Director Ron Bishop earlier this week scrubbing his name off the 2007 FCDC training roster after failing to complete any of the required training.
Well, now the detention center employees union is working on a case to exempt its members who didn't complete their training from any kind of reprimand. The entire basis of their case is that the director didn't get his training, so they can't be punished since he won't be. Sounds like a fine way to risk the safety of the community all in the name of covering Ron Bishop's behind.
Are you getting any of this, Mayor Newberry?
Let's Sell All Our School Buses
We have a state budget crisis, escalating gas prices, and too many parents who aren't involved enough in their childrens' education.
Let's sell off all the school buses and use half the savings to give teachers huge raises. In exchange for the raises, teachers will have to give up tenure and allow their defined benefit pension plan to be converted to defined contribution.
Let's sell off all the school buses and use half the savings to give teachers huge raises. In exchange for the raises, teachers will have to give up tenure and allow their defined benefit pension plan to be converted to defined contribution.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Can Beshear Walk His Talk?
Governor Beshear is saying some good things about spending cuts right now.
The real challenge will be for him to let us help keep him honest with spending transparency. And then he gets to really do something about the state employee benefits disaster.
The real challenge will be for him to let us help keep him honest with spending transparency. And then he gets to really do something about the state employee benefits disaster.
Presidential Google Search Fun
We all say stupid things sometimes, but Mike Huckabee's mouth will ultimately run him out of his big race.
For just one example, try googling "Huckabee Satan" for an interesting theological discussion.
For just one example, try googling "Huckabee Satan" for an interesting theological discussion.
Jody Richards' Come To Jesus Meeting
I was a guest on the Leland Conway Show this morning, telling Leland about the government transparency movement.
Leland said he will have House Speaker Jody Richards on the program next Tuesday at 10:15 and will ask him about this. There's your heads up, Mr. Speaker.
The Senate needs to get to work on this as well.
Leland said he will have House Speaker Jody Richards on the program next Tuesday at 10:15 and will ask him about this. There's your heads up, Mr. Speaker.
The Senate needs to get to work on this as well.
BIPPS Offers Pension Mess Advice
The bill with the most lasting impact in the 2008 session hasn't been filed yet and may not be filed. That bill will be the one that seriously addresses the $28 billion public employee benefits emergency.
The Bluegrass Institute's Jim Waters jumps on previous politicians for punting the ball on this and offers commonsense actions:
You can read the whole thing here. This is the problem that is consuming the Beshear administration right now. It should be.
The Bluegrass Institute's Jim Waters jumps on previous politicians for punting the ball on this and offers commonsense actions:
Irresponsible governance created the under-funded crisis in the first place. The system paid the price for self-serving politicians to fund local pork and win the next election instead of properly funding the retirement accounts.
Now lawmakers – particularly House and Senate leaders – must think beyond short-term political gains that come from doing nothing. If they don’t, we’re looking at either a massive tax increase or a bankrupt commonwealth.
The commission offered some worn ideas on how to shore up the under-funded accounts, including the credit-card approach of borrowing money. But it mentioned nothing about lengthening the time state employees must work before drawing cushy benefits or changing the benefits structure for future hires – two areas that legislators absolutely must address.
We didn’t need a commission to recommend a rope-a-dope approach – including more study, yes, more study! – in order to conclude that requiring employees to work only 27 years before they draw a Cadillac benefits package for life creates a bottomless pit of spending.
You can read the whole thing here. This is the problem that is consuming the Beshear administration right now. It should be.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
David's Blue Ribbon Commission On Pensions
We need to quickly phase out the Kentucky Retirement Systems and replace the whole cesspool with index mutual funds.
We need to put all new hires into defined contribution plans and eliminate health insurance for any new non-Medicare retirees not currently in the system.
We need to phase out legislative pensions.
We need to lower the legal limit on executive branch employment to 30,000 jobs and end the practice of double-dipping -- and end the practice of suspending the limit on executive branch employment.
Any other suggestions?
We need to put all new hires into defined contribution plans and eliminate health insurance for any new non-Medicare retirees not currently in the system.
We need to phase out legislative pensions.
We need to lower the legal limit on executive branch employment to 30,000 jobs and end the practice of double-dipping -- and end the practice of suspending the limit on executive branch employment.
Any other suggestions?
Harry Moberly Hasn't Learned His Lesson
Education commissioner Jon Draud says House Budget Chairman Harry Moberly told him he may be able to bust the Kentucky Department of Education budget in 2009.
Here is the quote (found here):
Now do you see why we really need to be able to watch these people like hawks?
Here is the quote (found here):
"Even though we don’t have a good financial picture (for 2008-10), I’m going to be active over there," he said. "(House A&R Committee Chairman) Harry Moberly has promised me that if the economy improves, we may be able to come back in the second year of the biennium for more funding for education."
Now do you see why we really need to be able to watch these people like hawks?
We're Off To See The Kruser
I'll be on Lexington radio this afternoon at 1 pm talking about the upcoming General Assembly. That's 590 on your AM dial and, if you are so inclined, 859-253-5959 is the call-in number.
Putting Their Mouths Where Our Money Is
Every legislator worth a sound bite is talking about being fiscally responsible these days.
I'll believe it when they get rid of the provision of this 2005 law that allows them to resign from the legislature and take a brief stint elsewhere in state government worth a huge pension boost.
The offensive -- and expensive -- goody was slipped in by a Senate committee and approved by a voice vote. Governor Fletcher allowed the bill to become law without his signature.
Several good legislators voted against this. Won't one of them file a bill to repeal it?
Call it the David Williams/J.R. Gray/Steve Nunn/Dan Mongiardo/Harry Moberly/Greg Stumbo bill.
I'll believe it when they get rid of the provision of this 2005 law that allows them to resign from the legislature and take a brief stint elsewhere in state government worth a huge pension boost.
The offensive -- and expensive -- goody was slipped in by a Senate committee and approved by a voice vote. Governor Fletcher allowed the bill to become law without his signature.
Several good legislators voted against this. Won't one of them file a bill to repeal it?
Call it the David Williams/J.R. Gray/Steve Nunn/Dan Mongiardo/Harry Moberly/Greg Stumbo bill.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Like Poop In A Sandbox
How many times have you heard that the cover-up is worse than the crime?
Perhaps Fayette County Detention Center Director Ron Bishop would have done well to hear it one more time before he scrubbed his name off the facility's training roster.
You see, Bishop didn't complete ANY of his 2007 required training. And apparently, he didn't want anyone to know about it.
In a city with legitimate leadership, Bishop would be long-since fired.
Perhaps Fayette County Detention Center Director Ron Bishop would have done well to hear it one more time before he scrubbed his name off the facility's training roster.
You see, Bishop didn't complete ANY of his 2007 required training. And apparently, he didn't want anyone to know about it.
In a city with legitimate leadership, Bishop would be long-since fired.
Time To Audit Big Ed
The hubbub over the Auditor's performance audit of Medicaid has died down. It's now time to do one of the Kentucky Department of Education.
But there's no way I would trust the partisan Auditor to do the job. We need to hire an outside firm for this one. The accounting at KDE is so bad that any honest efficiency report writers would have a field day sorting through their mess.
But there's no way I would trust the partisan Auditor to do the job. We need to hire an outside firm for this one. The accounting at KDE is so bad that any honest efficiency report writers would have a field day sorting through their mess.
Throwing (Jerry) Down The Gauntlet
Page One Kentucky promises to lay the smackdown on Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson in 2008 and suggests their information is the reason he didn't get in the race for governor.
Meanwhile, the Lexington Herald Leader wants to see Abramson's running mate, Rep. Ben Chandler, act a little more like Al Gore.
Yeah, I'd like to see that too.
Meanwhile, the Lexington Herald Leader wants to see Abramson's running mate, Rep. Ben Chandler, act a little more like Al Gore.
U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler: Follow the path of another Albert. Use your popularity to illuminate inconvenient truths.
Yeah, I'd like to see that too.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Fixing Things In 2008
An income tax on businesses with no income is always going to be a bad idea.
Let's kill it.
And after we do that, perhaps we should reconsider the wisdom of dropping 500,000 low-income Kentuckians from state tax rolls, which we did in the same 2005 bill that created the state AMT. Seems like subsidizing our least productive citizens might be something we would want to target more carefully than that. Our "welfare state" mentality, you must agree, is the biggest thing holding us back. Couldn't we better help those who can't help themselves if we made it a little more difficult for capable people to exist on the dole?
Let's kill it.
And after we do that, perhaps we should reconsider the wisdom of dropping 500,000 low-income Kentuckians from state tax rolls, which we did in the same 2005 bill that created the state AMT. Seems like subsidizing our least productive citizens might be something we would want to target more carefully than that. Our "welfare state" mentality, you must agree, is the biggest thing holding us back. Couldn't we better help those who can't help themselves if we made it a little more difficult for capable people to exist on the dole?
Monday, December 31, 2007
2007 Kaypee Awards
Probably should have thought about this a week ago, but I was inspired today by Bluegrass Roots' Rooties and came up with a name for a Kentucky awards show called the Kaypees.
Time is short to really do it justice, but if you have a funny nomination, have at it. Otherwise, I thought we might take the high road and try to come up with a consensus Best Public Policy Idea/Worst Public Policy Idea for 2008.
Time is short to really do it justice, but if you have a funny nomination, have at it. Otherwise, I thought we might take the high road and try to come up with a consensus Best Public Policy Idea/Worst Public Policy Idea for 2008.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Eyes On Arizona
Starting Tuesday, Arizona starts cracking down on employers of illegal aliens. Kentucky has a bill that would do the same thing here.
The Song That Never Ends
One thing that would really inform the present debate about what kind of fiscal shape state government is in would be to put all state government checkbooks online.
Where are all you good government types on this?
The House Democrats should have all kinds of motivation for supporting this. Jody Richards was out there this past week blaming the state shortfall on the national economy, for heaven's sake. If his much hoped for recession doesn't materialize -- or even doesn't materialize soon enough to lend some credibility to his ridiculous assertion -- what will he do?
Face it, big spenders, the cat is out of the bag. Citizen awareness and communication will soon demolish the old way of running Frankfort. Soon Rep. Harry Moberly (Mr. Government Secrecy and Mr. Conflict of Interest) will be the last one operating in the shadows.
Other legislators with better motives had better make sure there is no confusion about which side they are on in this most important battle.
Where are all you good government types on this?
The House Democrats should have all kinds of motivation for supporting this. Jody Richards was out there this past week blaming the state shortfall on the national economy, for heaven's sake. If his much hoped for recession doesn't materialize -- or even doesn't materialize soon enough to lend some credibility to his ridiculous assertion -- what will he do?
Face it, big spenders, the cat is out of the bag. Citizen awareness and communication will soon demolish the old way of running Frankfort. Soon Rep. Harry Moberly (Mr. Government Secrecy and Mr. Conflict of Interest) will be the last one operating in the shadows.
Other legislators with better motives had better make sure there is no confusion about which side they are on in this most important battle.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Oklahoma!
The great state of Oklahoma leads the way on government transparency and Kentucky would do very to follow them.
Did I mention we already have a bill?
If you don't like being surprised by details of the state's finances when we change governors, you will probably want to get on board the transparency movement as well.
Did I mention we already have a bill?
If you don't like being surprised by details of the state's finances when we change governors, you will probably want to get on board the transparency movement as well.
Saving State Health Dollars
We all agree that having more affordable health insurance would be a good thing. What should be clear, but apparently isn't, is that more competition and wider consumer choice would create a more efficient health insurance market.
In Kentucky, we seem to like to pack our insurers with mandated benefits. This increases costs, pricing more people out of the market. So, rather than address the root cost of the higher prices, we then seek to subsidize those prices with tax dollars. Any economics textbook would tell you this just causes prices to go up further still.
We need to give up the long-running lawsuit against Christian Care Medi-Share and encourage more such providers to come to the state. We need to shut down the ICARE subsidy Governor Beshear wants to expand.
And we need to give insurers more flexibility on which people they agree to insure.
In Kentucky, we seem to like to pack our insurers with mandated benefits. This increases costs, pricing more people out of the market. So, rather than address the root cost of the higher prices, we then seek to subsidize those prices with tax dollars. Any economics textbook would tell you this just causes prices to go up further still.
We need to give up the long-running lawsuit against Christian Care Medi-Share and encourage more such providers to come to the state. We need to shut down the ICARE subsidy Governor Beshear wants to expand.
And we need to give insurers more flexibility on which people they agree to insure.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Cut Spending, Have More Money
If we only cut the level of executive branch employment to the legal limit, stopped advertising the Kentucky Lottery, stopped the coal-to-liquid subsidy nonsense and cancelled the Louisville Arena project, we wouldn't have a "budget crisis."
I'm still laughing about Julian Carroll comparing state overspending to getting a car repossessed, but it's probably time we should seriously start talking about what assets the state should sell -- or at least stop leasing.
I'm still laughing about Julian Carroll comparing state overspending to getting a car repossessed, but it's probably time we should seriously start talking about what assets the state should sell -- or at least stop leasing.
Beshear's Campaign Promises Dropping Like Flies
In his weekly column, Bluegrass Institute's Jim Waters says if we really want to lower healthcare costs we will push to allow people to buy insurance across state lines and let individuals purchase coverage just like businesses do -- with pre-tax dollars.
Reality is forcing Governor Steve Beshear to abandon more and more of his pie-in-the-sky plans. Cutting spending and state employee benefits will be the first two dominoes to fall. Casino gambling has no chance in a possible GOP super-majority Senate. Might socialized health insurance be next?
Typically, with the Bush vetoes came attempts to label him as the Grinch who stole health care from needy kids. But the president made the right decision.
Bush argued that expanding the program would hurt kids. It would “move children who already have private health insurance to government coverage,” he said.
Buckeye Institute researcher Marc Kilmer agrees: “Kids who would have had better private care will instead be using substandard government care.”
All of this sounds Grinch-like to those with an inclination to expand public programs rather than look for better solutions.
Reality is forcing Governor Steve Beshear to abandon more and more of his pie-in-the-sky plans. Cutting spending and state employee benefits will be the first two dominoes to fall. Casino gambling has no chance in a possible GOP super-majority Senate. Might socialized health insurance be next?
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Anybody Up For A Media Appearance?
I will be a guest on the Leland Conway Show tomorrow with guest host Jim Waters. It's on 630 AM or www.wlap.com from nine to noon.
Skippy Miller, Gambling Man
Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary Jonathan Miller met with the State Tax Increment Financing Commission this afternoon to discuss blowing more state tax dollars on the Louisville Arena project.
He didn't answer any questions, though, about about last spring's Las Vegas vacation he took one week after kissing the ring of soon-to-be casino nominee Steve Beshear and dropping his own bid for governor.
The scandal is in the cover-up, Skippy, not the sex. The real question is not who Miller was bunking with in Vegas, but who he was meeting with to discuss "career options."
Miller will be under a dark cloud until all these questions are answered. It is time for Miller to produce some of these suitors he met with, assuming he can remember them.
He didn't answer any questions, though, about about last spring's Las Vegas vacation he took one week after kissing the ring of soon-to-be casino nominee Steve Beshear and dropping his own bid for governor.
The scandal is in the cover-up, Skippy, not the sex. The real question is not who Miller was bunking with in Vegas, but who he was meeting with to discuss "career options."
Miller will be under a dark cloud until all these questions are answered. It is time for Miller to produce some of these suitors he met with, assuming he can remember them.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Your State Needs More Than Your Mouth
As the General Assembly warms up for its 2008 session, the big spenders really don't have a good reason not to create a "Tax Me More Fund."
The lottery and casinos are supposed to be voluntary as well, aren't they? How are those who don't want to wait in convenience store lines behind ragged, toothless scratch-off buyers and their malnourished, snot-nosed kids or who don't want to risk sitting in a urine-soaked chair going to pay a little extra?
It is only being humane to afford those generous souls the opportunity to avoid these indignities in support of their Commonwealth.
Perhaps Speaker Jody Richards would sign on to this bill if we agreed to send one-third of any contribution directly to foreign casino owners.
The lottery and casinos are supposed to be voluntary as well, aren't they? How are those who don't want to wait in convenience store lines behind ragged, toothless scratch-off buyers and their malnourished, snot-nosed kids or who don't want to risk sitting in a urine-soaked chair going to pay a little extra?
It is only being humane to afford those generous souls the opportunity to avoid these indignities in support of their Commonwealth.
Perhaps Speaker Jody Richards would sign on to this bill if we agreed to send one-third of any contribution directly to foreign casino owners.
Kentucky's Education Odd Couple That Isn't
There is an interesting story in the Baltimore Sun about the Democratic governor in Maryland trying to run off the Republican state superintendent of schools.
Governor Steve Beshear already tried to get the state school board to not hire now-education commissioner (and former GOP state representative) Jon Draud. But while the difference between the two officials in Maryland has some basis in ideological conflict, their Kentucky counterparts seem to have little if anything they disagree about in terms of policy.
The education story for 2008, though, may well be that budget realities force a much tighter fiscal rein on the education establishment and an overhaul of the fraudulent CATS program, something neither Draud nor Beshear would ever be inclined to pursue in fatter economic times.
Specifically, what we need is an outside financial audit from the top of the Kentucky Department of Education to the bottom of the smallest elementary school. A bill to mandate this and to strip the KDE of the ability to grade itself with the CATS testing should be something both parties can get behind.
The education bureaucracy will be much easier to handle when their game is exposed for all to see.
Governor Steve Beshear already tried to get the state school board to not hire now-education commissioner (and former GOP state representative) Jon Draud. But while the difference between the two officials in Maryland has some basis in ideological conflict, their Kentucky counterparts seem to have little if anything they disagree about in terms of policy.
The education story for 2008, though, may well be that budget realities force a much tighter fiscal rein on the education establishment and an overhaul of the fraudulent CATS program, something neither Draud nor Beshear would ever be inclined to pursue in fatter economic times.
Specifically, what we need is an outside financial audit from the top of the Kentucky Department of Education to the bottom of the smallest elementary school. A bill to mandate this and to strip the KDE of the ability to grade itself with the CATS testing should be something both parties can get behind.
The education bureaucracy will be much easier to handle when their game is exposed for all to see.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas
It has been a good year writing on this blog. I really appreciate the comments, criticisms, emails, and news tips. The way we get and share information is changing rapidly. I hope this site plays a role in how you stay connected.
David
David
Help For The Dentally-Challenged
You may have heard about the New York Times/IHT article discussing tooth loss in Kentucky.
Quoted in the article is a Corbin man who illegally provides dentures to people who need them.
It is currently illegal for anyone other than a licensed dentist to provide dentures. There is a bill from Rep. Tom Burch seeking to change this.
Are we actually allowing the private sector to lower a medical cost? Let's hope this idea catches on in Frankfort.
Did I mention this?
Quoted in the article is a Corbin man who illegally provides dentures to people who need them.
It is currently illegal for anyone other than a licensed dentist to provide dentures. There is a bill from Rep. Tom Burch seeking to change this.
Are we actually allowing the private sector to lower a medical cost? Let's hope this idea catches on in Frankfort.
Did I mention this?
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Getting Benefits Right Another Beshear Opportunity
The Louisville Courier Journal's David Hawpe gets it right this morning when he calls the effort by the Fletcher administration on public employee benefits weak.
Empowering a generation of state government employees as a strong goody-getting voting block was never going to work for our fiscal health. Demanding a phase-out of legislator pensions would also help change this culture of self-destruction.
Cutting the benefits won't hurt state government. Not cutting them will bankrupt us. Do the math.
This political gift was wrapped up by Ernie Fletcher last summer when he didn't make the special session about public employee benefits.
The answer clearly is not the anemic approach suggested last week by a (pale) blue ribbon commission. The truth is, the current system is unsustainable. It must be changed. Future state hires will have to accept the kinds of changes that millions of Americans have had to stomach, as private employers have adjusted their retiree pension and benefit plans.
Empowering a generation of state government employees as a strong goody-getting voting block was never going to work for our fiscal health. Demanding a phase-out of legislator pensions would also help change this culture of self-destruction.
Cutting the benefits won't hurt state government. Not cutting them will bankrupt us. Do the math.
This political gift was wrapped up by Ernie Fletcher last summer when he didn't make the special session about public employee benefits.
Friday, December 21, 2007
For Mayor Jim Newberry's Eyes Only
The meltdown at the the Fayette County jail includes a sexual harassment lawsuit whose mishandling is indicative of the leadership failure in Lexington.
It will be interesting to see if the sexual harassment grievance filed at the Lexington Police Department is managed any differently. (You know, the one regarding the effects of a bullet-proof vest.)
It will be interesting to see if the sexual harassment grievance filed at the Lexington Police Department is managed any differently. (You know, the one regarding the effects of a bullet-proof vest.)
Pinching Pennies
If Governor Steve Beshear is looking for new ways to save money -- and he'd better be -- he should get rid of the law that requires government entities to publish public notices in local newspapers.
It's much cheaper to put them online. The Kentucky Press Association already has a website set up.
Any other ideas?
It's much cheaper to put them online. The Kentucky Press Association already has a website set up.
Any other ideas?
Dissenting Comments On A Blog Make It Better
I don't know when the Louisville Courier Journal will start deleting unfriendly blog comments like some other newspaper's political blog. Maybe they just haven't seen this yet.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Highlighting A Good Gun Bill
Theres's a lively discussion on Kentucky Votes about Rep. Bob Damron's new gun bill.
Ben "Tax Man" Chandler Strikes Again
Rep. Ben Chander voted late yesterday joined 63 hardy tax-raisers in the U.S. House of Representatives in voting against the commonsense Alternative Minimum Tax "patch" that will save 22 million middle-class Americans from the punishing tax in 2008.
Just One Goal
The Lexington Herald Leader jumps on the Fletcher administration's handling of the Medicaid program this morning.
The politics of this is very much beside the point.
The only way to gain anything from this is to recognize the need for greater transparency in our government agencies. There is already a bill, pre-filed by a House Republican, that starts to address this issue. Rather than just kill it for partisan reasons, House Dems should expand it.
Medicaid's accounting issues are miniscule compared to the public employee benefits programs that have been allowed to go underfunded for decades. Now everyone is starting to pay attention because the black hole we have there threatens to swallow up the entire state.
Both of these problems -- and many others -- will benefit from a full-court press toward putting all the state's checkbooks online.
You'd think someone would be keeping track of whether reforms affecting all that money (for fiscal year 2006, about $1 billion from Kentucky's General Fund and $3.3 billion in federal funds) was being spent effectively.
You'd think wrong. Neither the cabinet administering the program nor the governor's office to which it answered nor the legislature that passed the budgets funding the program seemed to know what was going on.
The politics of this is very much beside the point.
The only way to gain anything from this is to recognize the need for greater transparency in our government agencies. There is already a bill, pre-filed by a House Republican, that starts to address this issue. Rather than just kill it for partisan reasons, House Dems should expand it.
Medicaid's accounting issues are miniscule compared to the public employee benefits programs that have been allowed to go underfunded for decades. Now everyone is starting to pay attention because the black hole we have there threatens to swallow up the entire state.
Both of these problems -- and many others -- will benefit from a full-court press toward putting all the state's checkbooks online.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Double Dipper Dan v. AG Steve Beshear ('81)
The citizens of the 30th Senate district in Bell, Harlan, Leslie, and Perry counties would have a new state senator today if Governor Steve Beshear had called the special election on November 9 when Senate President David Williams made the request.
As it is, a special election for the seat can not now be held before the end of January. Double-Dipper Dan should do the right thing and insist Governor Beshear do his part to ensure the people in his district have the representation they deserve.
Governor Beshear really does understand the need to protect citizens on issues like this. Well, sometimes. He understood it when he wrote the following Attorney General's opinion in 1981, in which he ordered legislative staff not to mail but to hand deliver the Writ of Election for a special election.
Governor Beshear also recognized this necessity when he elevated Rep. J.R. Gray to Labor Cabinet Secretary last week and immediately called the special election. He understood the need to call a special election right away. Why doesn't he get it now?
As it is, a special election for the seat can not now be held before the end of January. Double-Dipper Dan should do the right thing and insist Governor Beshear do his part to ensure the people in his district have the representation they deserve.
Governor Beshear really does understand the need to protect citizens on issues like this. Well, sometimes. He understood it when he wrote the following Attorney General's opinion in 1981, in which he ordered legislative staff not to mail but to hand deliver the Writ of Election for a special election.
As the Court pointed out in the case of Furste v. Grey, 240 Ky. 604, the framers of the Constitution had in mind that vacancies in the General Assembly shall not continue but should be filled immediately in the manner provided by the legislature.
Thus, because of the urgency for filling the vacancy in question so that the residents of the 75th Legislative District will be properly represented at the earliest possible time following the beginning of the Session starting on January 5, it is suggested that the Writ of Election be issued on January 1st and hand delivered rather than mailed, to the sheriff.
Governor Beshear also recognized this necessity when he elevated Rep. J.R. Gray to Labor Cabinet Secretary last week and immediately called the special election. He understood the need to call a special election right away. Why doesn't he get it now?
The $14 Million Jonathan Miller Subsidy
Wouldn't it be great if you could spend state tax dollars promoting your latest great idea? Wouldn't it be even better if you could go back every year and get a huge government check when your great idea blew up in your face again and again?
Governor Steve Beshear's hand-picked Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary-designate Jonathan Miller has a $14 million check coming from the state's General Fund to fill the current year's hole in the KAPT program.
Heckuva job, Johnny.
Governor Steve Beshear's hand-picked Finance and Administration Cabinet Secretary-designate Jonathan Miller has a $14 million check coming from the state's General Fund to fill the current year's hole in the KAPT program.
Heckuva job, Johnny.
Fiscal Time Bomb Still Ticking
There is really only one thing that matters in Kentucky right now and that is what we need to do now to survive a full-blown crisis in our state employee benefit plans.
It is nearly impossible to exaggerate this disaster. The best analogy I can think of is that we are on the Titanic and can only avoid getting sunk by the iceberg if we start turning now.
We are nearly $30,000,000,000 short in the funds we use to write pension checks and pay health benefits for state government workers. If we don't raise taxes, -- and we can't afford to raise taxes -- we are going to have to cut spending. A lot. There is no other way around this and if the people don't start screaming about it now we will see, within ten years, employers fleeing the state and leaving a real mess behind them.
And we can't fund our state government on Social Security checks.
What this will take is radically changing the way we look at state government. We are going to have to get out of providing a lot of services we have gotten used to. We will have to cut out a lot of programs.
Our bloated and inefficient school system might be a good place to start with a surgeon's knife. Did you know that no other state has a higher percentage of non-teacher school employees than Kentucky? If we start there and then eliminate most of the Kentucky Department of Education we will be heading in the right direction.
Then we need fewer state employees and we need them to stop retiring from one government job only to take another. Did you know only fourteen states have more state and local government employees per 10,000 people than Kentucky does? Kentucky has a law limiting the number of state employees to 33,000 but every two years the legislature votes itself an exemption from this law. In January they are going to do it again unless we make them stop it. Ask your Senator or Representative why he or she thinks government can't get by with less when the rest of us have to sometimes.
If you want your children to be able to live in Kentucky ten or fifteen years from now, you will take this threat very seriously.
It is nearly impossible to exaggerate this disaster. The best analogy I can think of is that we are on the Titanic and can only avoid getting sunk by the iceberg if we start turning now.
We are nearly $30,000,000,000 short in the funds we use to write pension checks and pay health benefits for state government workers. If we don't raise taxes, -- and we can't afford to raise taxes -- we are going to have to cut spending. A lot. There is no other way around this and if the people don't start screaming about it now we will see, within ten years, employers fleeing the state and leaving a real mess behind them.
And we can't fund our state government on Social Security checks.
What this will take is radically changing the way we look at state government. We are going to have to get out of providing a lot of services we have gotten used to. We will have to cut out a lot of programs.
Our bloated and inefficient school system might be a good place to start with a surgeon's knife. Did you know that no other state has a higher percentage of non-teacher school employees than Kentucky? If we start there and then eliminate most of the Kentucky Department of Education we will be heading in the right direction.
Then we need fewer state employees and we need them to stop retiring from one government job only to take another. Did you know only fourteen states have more state and local government employees per 10,000 people than Kentucky does? Kentucky has a law limiting the number of state employees to 33,000 but every two years the legislature votes itself an exemption from this law. In January they are going to do it again unless we make them stop it. Ask your Senator or Representative why he or she thinks government can't get by with less when the rest of us have to sometimes.
If you want your children to be able to live in Kentucky ten or fifteen years from now, you will take this threat very seriously.
I Guess We Know Results Of Stumbo Poll
Now we know what a political hit job looks like. Rep. Brandon Spencer just last week was filing a bill to line his own pockets with Medicaid money and now he is resigning quietly so Greg Stumbo can have a job.
Could Jody Richards be the one quaking in his boots this morning?
Could Jody Richards be the one quaking in his boots this morning?
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
Yarmuth: I Wanna Go Home NOW!
An hour ago, House Democrats in Washington D.C. tried to shut down their session for the year. Yarmuth voted to surrender.
Has he been talking to Jody Richards?
Has he been talking to Jody Richards?
Smart Republicans Won't Touch Medicaid Fight
I just got off the phone with a spokeswoman from the Cabinet for Medicaid Services who told me they didn't have a comment on the Auditor's Performance Audit of their activities. She told me they are reviewing the audit and might have a comment by the end of the week.
The only problem with that is the audit included -- on page 108 -- a letter from the department dated December 5 responding to the audit.
This doesn't look good for what is left of the Fletcher administration.
The only problem with that is the audit included -- on page 108 -- a letter from the department dated December 5 responding to the audit.
This doesn't look good for what is left of the Fletcher administration.
Sniffing Out (Some) Conflicts Of Interest
The state just lost an appeal to eliminate what it said was a conflict of interest for a lowly technician at the airport in Frankfort who took on a second job to improve his skills.
But there has still been no official action taken against Rep. Harry Moberly in his conflict of interest as Budget Chairman and Vice President of Eastern Kentucky University.
I thought Governor Beshear said he was going to be different.
But there has still been no official action taken against Rep. Harry Moberly in his conflict of interest as Budget Chairman and Vice President of Eastern Kentucky University.
I thought Governor Beshear said he was going to be different.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tax Reform Idea Catching On
I will be on Leland Conway's radio show at 9:00 Monday morning talking about the Fair Tax. You can catch it in the Lexington area on 630 AM or on the net at www.wlap.com.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Baseball Analogy For Fayette Jail Employees
Some of the criminals working inside the Fayette County Detention Center continue to delude themselves. They seem to think lack of mainstream media interest in their crimes and the fact no one with dark sunglasses and arrest warrants has shown up yet means no one is coming for them.
But several internal conversations at the jail have turned to the the inconvenient fact investigators took four years to indict slugger Barry Bonds.
The jail abuse evidence isn't nearly as hard to sort through as the steroid evidence, though.
But several internal conversations at the jail have turned to the the inconvenient fact investigators took four years to indict slugger Barry Bonds.
The jail abuse evidence isn't nearly as hard to sort through as the steroid evidence, though.
Happy Hanukkah: MIller "Mistakes" Like Noodling?
Told you three weeks ago about the Lexington Herald Leader sitting on a Jonathan Miller scandal. Why they put it out now, in the middle of December and on one of the slowest circulation days of the year, makes about as much sense as this:
It may well sound like sour grapes at this point, but this sordid episode displays perfectly how the mainstream media in Kentucky covers for Democrats. Can there be any doubt if Miller were a Republican that the last three weeks would have featured wall-to-wall news stories speculating about wild sex and gambling parties in Las Vegas and systematic abuse of the merit system?
This story is far from over.
Overall, Parker saw her salary rise from $21,000 a year when Miller hired her out of college as a secretary in 2000 to $78,981 a year this year as deputy state treasurer. That's an increase of nearly 380 percent in seven years.
Miller denied any suggestion that he gave Parker undue favorable treatment but said he has relied on her input regarding "personal business" matters such as future job opportunities.
For instance, Parker accompanied Miller on a trip to Las Vegas between May 14 and 17, just after Miller dropped out of the Democratic primary for governor.
Miller said in an interview in September that he flew to Las Vegas in May for a trip that was "personal or personal business" in nature.
"No state government work," he said. "I'm kind of looking at my own job opportunities after I'm treasurer and also it's a nice place to relax."
It may well sound like sour grapes at this point, but this sordid episode displays perfectly how the mainstream media in Kentucky covers for Democrats. Can there be any doubt if Miller were a Republican that the last three weeks would have featured wall-to-wall news stories speculating about wild sex and gambling parties in Las Vegas and systematic abuse of the merit system?
This story is far from over.
Blog Blockergate 2
The Beshear administration is trying to decide if state employees should be reading political blogs on the job.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Is A Blog Without Comments Really A Blog?
Kentucky's Rep. Adam Koenig has started our first state legislator blog. It will be interesting to see how he does with it, who else follows him in putting one up, and if he decides to accept comments.
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell already has a blog.
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell already has a blog.
Sentenced To Life In New Jersey
We already know that half the people living in casino paradise New Jersey want to leave the state as soon as they can.
So it's hard not to wonder if they are now getting rid of the death penalty as some kind of economic development ploy.
So it's hard not to wonder if they are now getting rid of the death penalty as some kind of economic development ploy.
Price Tag For Relevant KY Schools? $60 Million
This bill might have a chance to improve low-performing schools if it didn't have to depend so heavily on the Kentucky Department of Education.
Better Point Out Penalty For Misuse Of Military ID
Rep. David Floyd has pre-filed a bill to allow underage military members to purchase, possess, and drink alcohol.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Lexington's Wildcatting Taxi Service
Not everyone in the Lexington Police Department is happy that University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie gets a free ride home when he gets pulled over in town and needs a little extra help finding his way home safely.
Hitting The Ground Walking
Since Governor Beshear seems to be struggling to find things to talk about since his inauguration on Tuesday, may we suggest he seriously engage in the effort to open up the state's finances for oversight by those of us paying his bills?
I Admit I Am Biased
I don't have a problem with a Mormon getting elected President of the United States. What I have a problem with is this.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Is More Gang Violence Coming Here?
Someone with a New York City IP address just came to my site after googling "Are the Latin Kings going to invade Kentucky?"
I have heard about this before, but nothing recently. Any information related to this anyone has would be very helpful.
I have heard about this before, but nothing recently. Any information related to this anyone has would be very helpful.
Beshear's Labor Secretary Co-Sponsors Benefits Bill
Twenty one House Democrats, including Labor Secretary-designate J.R. Gray, co-sponsored a bill that would overturn the domestic partner benefit plans at University of Kentucky and University of Louisville.
Governor Beshear has promised to veto any such bill.
Governor Beshear has promised to veto any such bill.
Empty Symbolic Gestures Can Be Fun!
We can wait patiently while taxpayers fund Governor Beshear's drywall hanging stunt, but if he really wants to improve accountability he needs to talk seriously about making government more transparent.
Isn't Mike Huckabee Satan's Brother?
Gov. Mitt Romney gave his "don't hit me; I'm a Mormon" speech so Gov. Mike Huckabee, of course, had to hit him.
I think Huckabee could have done a lot better than this.
I think Huckabee could have done a lot better than this.
Today I'm With Ron Paul and Mike Huckabee
This is not, repeat NOT, a presidential endorsement.
Instead, it is a statement that I'm in favor of a bold federal tax reform plan call the Fair Tax.
Rep. Paul and Governor Huckabee have several problems with their campaigns, but being wusses on tax reform isn't one of them.
I'll be a guest on the Leland Conway radio show this morning at 11:30 talking about the Fair Tax. You can listen on 630 AM WLAP or www.wlap.com.
Instead, it is a statement that I'm in favor of a bold federal tax reform plan call the Fair Tax.
Rep. Paul and Governor Huckabee have several problems with their campaigns, but being wusses on tax reform isn't one of them.
I'll be a guest on the Leland Conway radio show this morning at 11:30 talking about the Fair Tax. You can listen on 630 AM WLAP or www.wlap.com.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Will Beshear Look At Lexington Jail?
None of the 89 names on former Governor Ernie Fletcher's last-minute pardon list work at the Fayette County Detention Center. If that's what you were counting on, I'm sorry about your luck.
Meanwhile, one thing jumped out from the coverage of Governor Beshear's inaugural address:
It's easy to guess Beshear is talking about merit system whistleblowers. But does he know something about the mess Lexington officials have made of their local jail and the systematic abuse of whistleblower Cpl. John Vest?
Speculation at the jail has the long-awaited federal indictments coming down very soon. But that isn't the important part. With the indictments comes the unsealing of the evidence the FBI collected in their 2006 raid on FCDC. You may remember: that's the hundreds of hours of video and audio evidence which brought dozens of FBI agents in to storm the jail and pull out even more evidence. This is the evidence Mayor Teresa Isaac claimed to have examined thoroughly in a one night cram session.
If he hasn't already, Governor Beshear would do very well to look into this fiasco right away. Getting to the bottom of Mayor Jim Newberry's stunning mishandling of this sorry episode presents a fabulous opportunity for the state's new chief executive.
Meanwhile, one thing jumped out from the coverage of Governor Beshear's inaugural address:
Beshear said he would introduce a legislative package that would strengthen penalties for ethics violations, improve protection for whistleblowers and change the way appointments are made to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission.
It's easy to guess Beshear is talking about merit system whistleblowers. But does he know something about the mess Lexington officials have made of their local jail and the systematic abuse of whistleblower Cpl. John Vest?
Speculation at the jail has the long-awaited federal indictments coming down very soon. But that isn't the important part. With the indictments comes the unsealing of the evidence the FBI collected in their 2006 raid on FCDC. You may remember: that's the hundreds of hours of video and audio evidence which brought dozens of FBI agents in to storm the jail and pull out even more evidence. This is the evidence Mayor Teresa Isaac claimed to have examined thoroughly in a one night cram session.
If he hasn't already, Governor Beshear would do very well to look into this fiasco right away. Getting to the bottom of Mayor Jim Newberry's stunning mishandling of this sorry episode presents a fabulous opportunity for the state's new chief executive.
Global Warming Thaws Frankfort Hiring Freeze
The city of Frankfort is determined to cut energy usage (there is a joke in there about hot air but, never mind...) and so they have decided to start, of course, with hiring a city sustainability coordinator despite the city's hiring freeze.
Another Politician Who Doesn't Know Where He Is
Madison County Judge Executive Kent "Otis" Clark has resolved his latest alcohol-related issue, but not without causing a stir.
As Governor Steve "I'm gonna pass it" Beshear lands in Frankfort today, we will wait for his casino industry giveaway ranting and raving to die down a little bit before gently reminding him he is in Kentucky and we don't do things that way around here.
When Shirley told Clark he was under arrest, the judge-executive became "very argumentative and began yelling," according to the citation. The document said Clark didn't really resist arrest, but was uncooperative.
"He caused quite a scene," Russell Springs Police Chief Joe Michael Irvin said in an interview.
...
In June 2004, Clark was charged with alcohol intoxication after he was found passed out on a Lexington sidewalk. An arrest citation said Clark did not know what city he was in. Clark pleaded guilty and paid a fine, according to court records.
As Governor Steve "I'm gonna pass it" Beshear lands in Frankfort today, we will wait for his casino industry giveaway ranting and raving to die down a little bit before gently reminding him he is in Kentucky and we don't do things that way around here.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Rich Brooks, Call Your Lobbyist
Tim Tebow grew up a home-schooled student in Florida. Florida has a law that allows home-schooled students to play high school sports. Tim Tebow played high school sports and is now the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback.
Alabama is working on passing a law.
Alabama is working on passing a law.
Ask Mitt Anything Easy
I signed on to an "Ask Mitt Anything" internet chat session this afternoon and quickly submitted a half dozen policy questions to the moderator.
What a waste.
All the questions that got through were about how great Romney's "Mormon" speech was, what a great leader he is, what a jerk Huckabee is, and how can we send more money to the campaign.
No questions of any substance got through at all. Well, maybe one, but that question about abortion got a run-around answer.
Still looking for a candidate...
What a waste.
All the questions that got through were about how great Romney's "Mormon" speech was, what a great leader he is, what a jerk Huckabee is, and how can we send more money to the campaign.
No questions of any substance got through at all. Well, maybe one, but that question about abortion got a run-around answer.
Still looking for a candidate...
Actions Speak: Harry Moberly's Macaca
Sen. Mitch McConnell is certainly fortunate no one was running a video camera on November 28 when he spoke in Grayson county. Otherwise, this video would be his "macaca" moment.
As it is, he has a chance to explain. His campaign says he was taken out of context by his opponents and that the entire quote better explains that he was talking about funding the troops.
Whether this context totally eliminates the damage from what was certainly an ill-advised comment, no one really believes McConnell isn't concerned about volunteer soldiers.
The misplaced rage in this case might be put to better use in Kentucky by turning itself toward the very real conflict of interest our state's House Budget Chairman was caught in the same week.
But his political affiliation probably has something to do with that.
As it is, he has a chance to explain. His campaign says he was taken out of context by his opponents and that the entire quote better explains that he was talking about funding the troops.
“Our brave soldiers have protected us for six years successfully. If we brought all of them home today (terrorists) they would be back here, so we need to stay the course. It's gotten better and there is a dramatic decrease in causalities and we have begun to withdraw troops.” said McConnell. ”The polls are reflecting that there is a 15% increase in optimism in American's views about the war.
“I won't tell you everything is great in Iraq; it is not. But we want to keep a steady flow of funds so that we don't disrupt the military,” said McConnell. “Unfortunately, most of our friends on the other isle are having a hard time admitting things are getting better; some days I almost think the critics of this war don't want us to win. Nobody is happy about losing lives but remember these are not draftees, these are full-time professional soldiers.
“We ought to provide funding fully without restrictions and without Congress micromanaging the war, ” added Mcconnell.
Whether this context totally eliminates the damage from what was certainly an ill-advised comment, no one really believes McConnell isn't concerned about volunteer soldiers.
The misplaced rage in this case might be put to better use in Kentucky by turning itself toward the very real conflict of interest our state's House Budget Chairman was caught in the same week.
But his political affiliation probably has something to do with that.
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